Australia vs Argentina LIVE: Rugby Championship score and latest ...
(EPA)
Australia and Argentina will be desperate to put chastening losses behind them this morning when they do battle in Sydney in round two of the Rugby Championship.
The opening weekend could hardly have gone worse for both sides as the All Blacks demolished the Pumas 41-12 in Argentina and while Wallabies coach Eddie Jones had talked big pre-match about making history in South Africa, the Springboks obliterated them 43-12 on home turf. With only one more round of games following this weekend’s action, both teams’ chances of lifting the trophy is already slim but a loss would extinguish that hope completely.
Jones was hoping to make a statement in his first game back as Australia boss but instead, the scale of the challenge in front of him with the World Cup looming became stark. His countryman Michael Cheika, with whom he has a complicated history, faces similar questions in his role as Pumas head coach.
History favours the Wallabies in this fixture – since 1991, only four of the 30 fixtures contested have been won by Argentina and only one of those victories came in Australia (in 2018). However, the Pumas did win the most recent game between the sides handsomely – 48-17 in last year’s Rugby Championship – and also recorded a pair of draws in Australia back in 2020.
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Quade Cooper makes a few yards, then nice quick hands out to Marika Koroibete but well covered.
Hmmm, Australia going backwards here, back outside the 22 after a losses pass. Then Allan Alaalatoa knocks on when not really looking. Missed opportunity but good defence by the Pumas.
Loosehead prop Angus Bell on for James Slipper.
Luke Baker15 July 2023 12:27
Australia immediately back on the attack. A lineout around the Argentina 22.
Some news on Len Ikitau who injured his shoulder scoring the opening try. He’s off to hospital for a scan.
Luke Baker15 July 2023 12:25
Argentina win the turnover penalty at the breakdown. Nic White looks unimpressed but the referee deems the ball was out and could legally be played.
Emiliano Boffelli, with his unique hunched-over stance, will have a pop from near halfway to the left of the posts.
Line good and the length as well! Great kick!
Luke Baker15 July 2023 12:24
Poor kick by Emiliano Boffelli, out on the full so it’s an Australian lineout back in the Pumas half.
But Argentina steal the set-piece. Good recovery work!
Luke Baker15 July 2023 12:21
Oof, big hit involving Samu Kerevi. Lucio Cinti makes decent ground but good defence by Australia as they tie up the Pumas and drive them into touch.
Matt Philip, the lock who has just come on for the impressive Will Skelton, among those involved.
Luke Baker15 July 2023 12:20
Great vision by Nic White and he snipes over for the try.
Solid scrum, White looks to go left but pressure from Gonzalo Bertranou forces him back right and there’s no protection there as the Pumas have over-committed, so he snipes round the edge of the scrum and over for the score.
Easy conversion and we’re back level
Luke Baker15 July 2023 12:17
Lineout secured and Australia up to five metres. Carter Gordon, then Quade Cooper probe the line but another penalty coming.
Take the gimme three? Nope, a five-metre scrum.
Luke Baker15 July 2023 12:16
Decent carry by Rob Valetini as he powers into contact.
Then a bit of a cheap shot on Aussie scrum-half Nic White, off the ball and from the side by Pablo Matera. Just a penalty and the Wallabies kick to the corner. A good chance here.
Agustin Creevy on for Julian Montoya. Veteran hooker for veteran hooker
Luke Baker15 July 2023 12:14
Big turnover on halfway for Australia as Juan Martin Gonzalez takes too long to use the ball at the back of a scrum.
Richie Arnold’s sin-bin is over, so the Wallabies are back to a full complement of 15, although they trail by seven points now.
Luke Baker15 July 2023 12:12
Tomas Lavanini has a look but short. But then Julian Montoya does get over!
Gets outside the middle of Allan Alaalatoa who’s protecting the ruck, ball in his outside arm and has enough leverage to churn the legs to get over the line. Just veteran quality form Montoya close to the line.
Easy conversion and Argentina make the most of the man advantage to lead.
Luke Baker15 July 2023 12:10
